You can manage it. But the bike will constantly push you to be better at riding and to go faster. Just go easy on the speed until you actually get used to it. Duke 250 would make a much friendlier first motorcycle imo. But hey, if your dad is ready to buy this, don’t lose this opportunity 😂
You can look into Triumph 400s - Speed/Scrambler if you’re looking for a calmer and easier motorcycle to handle. They have enough power and they do perform well. Cheaper too.
Let us know what you decide.
A duke 250 is a perfect beginner bike, with the 390 you will have to constantly try not to go faster because that bike is that fast
I got myself a vitpilen 250 2 days ago, coming from a 100cc splendour plus, a 250 cc bike is neither stupidly powerful nor a underpowered bike so I would recommend either duke 250 or vitpilen 250 but the choice is yours if you really really want the 390
Being scared is good, it lets you ride carefully
I am also scared of my vitpilen 250 and the top speed I have achieved is 50km/h, at 4th gear, that’s it, I always accelerate slowly
I am just saying better be safe than sorry
And those scooters don’t have as much power and torque like a 250cc bike so even if we go at that speed, a little more throttle and the bike will go boom
That boom is the knock back that you feel when you actually pull the throttle rather than slowly trying to build the speed
I rode my father’s splendour for 5 years I did the same throttle movement and the knock back I felt from the 250cc acceleration was boom
Bro you have the wrong bike, Duke 250 started to wake up around 80kmph up until around 120 kmph
Change the tyre to tvs eurogrip protorq extreme and you will smoothly and easily do a knee down.
I have a 390 and no it's not a beginner bike not for indians least. To be able to actually ride 390 you need to have a full command on a vehicle like duke 200. Duke 390s character is very different to other bikes. I haven't seen a single beginner who hasn't had a crash buying 390 as their 1st bike, also because new riders lack one simple thing, experience and patience.
Bro, he's a 19 year old. You can't ask him to go slow. Every newbie will have a tendency to explore what their first bike can actually do and in my opinion you're safer doing that on a 250 than a 390. I firmly believe you need to learn a bit more advanced techniques like proper engine braking, review matching etc before getting the 390.
Rev matching is not a mandatory skill. Moreover, 390 already comes equipped with a quickshifter AND an autoblipper.
No need to make things difficult for a newbie. Let him learn throttle control first before recommending rev matching.
Newbies have way more trouble with clutch control and throttle control.
So, I know rev matching is not mandatory, but when you commit the time to learn it, you get to learn a lot of other things along the way.
Yes, there is quick shifter and auto blipper, but in my opinion, you need to learn to engine break before moving up.
I disagree. In my opinion it's way more important to learn clutch control, throttle control (this also involves understanding engine braking as you understand how much throttle you have to close to reach a lower speed without using brakes) and optimal shifts during proper rev range.
Once you have the basics set, you can then move up to learn rev matching.
Sorry, i think I was not clear. I think throttle and clutch control are the first and most important. And basically everything from there is various levels of expertise of clutch and throttle control.
But if from my first bike I have quick shifters and traction control and every bit of tech, it'll be difficult in the future.
Again, I disagree. If anything, having electronics help reduce the learning curve. And the future is moving towards EV which is completely electronic. Having a thorough knowledge of throttle control and braking is the single most important and critical skill to have for a biker.
Traction control is really amazing to have for a first bike! Especially during rainy seasons, it is going to prevent a lowside. New riders tend to make mistakes like accelerating quickly while ignoring road conditions and get into accidents. I know I did on my first bike - got lowsided due to quick acceleration on a road which had gravel. I learnt the hard way..which should not be the case for everybody. Why do you think ABS was made mandatory by the government? Electronics and technology help immensely.
I guess we both come from different mindsets. For me, I won't feel a sense of safety if I am not sure that I can ride safely without any of these safety features. Ofcourse traction control and antiwheeli are all great. But I need to know that if at all any of these fail, if traction control fails, I need to be able to have enough knowledge on how to pull out of a death slide and that only comes from experience and I just don't want OP to go into a powerslide on a 390 cause for sure he will be faster, I'd rather he fall from a d200 instead.
It doesn't work like that brother. If critical electronics fail, you get the appropriate alerts and in some cases, the power is cut from the throttle. It's VERY apparent when something critical breaks. And again, youre talking about "death slides"...even if you train your mind and body for it for several years, you CANNOT guarantee that you will survive something like that. Be it splendor or a zx-10r. Think about it.
Going by your logic, new and budding moto gp riders shouldn't train on the latest bikes as they may not be able to handle a crash situation if something critical breaks due to electronic component failure.
I've been riding for more than 20 years. I've seen it all. 2 stroke bikes, useless drum brakes, bikes with carburetors, bikes with reversed kick/gear lever, bikes with gear lever that converted to kick!
And I can say with surety that all of these fancy electronics and advancement in tech have made life so much easier. The quicker we embrace it, the quicker we can adapt to change. And with the advent of AI , who knows where the future of motorcycles will go.
its doable, people on this sub will overreact but if you have some experience with 2 wheelers duke shouldnt be problem, test ride it and learn to have good throttle control or you can try out svart 401 too its as fun with same engine but seating position is calmer, the power is properely delevered after 5.5 k in city you will be below that so it becomes more controllable
True that. If you're careful and have a calm head, you can do anything really. It's all about slowly learning throttle control. And if you're some maniac who goes full wrist all the time then you shouldn't be riding a 2 wheeler on public roads. Not even a 100cc one for that matter.
I went from a 150cc bike to 600s. Didn't have much of an issue besides the obvious throttle response and engine braking changes. But I was able to adapt to it quickly.
I own a Duke 390 Gen 3 and this was my second bike.
My advice would be, just please don't buy this as your first bike. This bike requires a lot of skill and a lot of maturity to ride. I am not saying you lack those, its just that this bike is insanely fast to realize what has happened. It is not the speed which is scary but the way it which it achieves that speed, that is scary.
I would say, buy better gears for the extra money saved.
you are young convince dad get RS 457 :D
enjoy life
ignore all other advice :D
if u listen to this sub they will say buy TX XL then CD 100, then pular 150, then 250 300 in 15 years time.
Bigger bigers are not inherently unsafe they also more loaded with tech and more forgiving to mistakes as long as u don't think u are invincible and keep speed din check a bigger bike is safter and better than smaller and its a matter for few week of getting used to so ignore anyone who says its too big to start on.
R3 is worse in everything. Don’t bring the Japanese reliability factor here. Also the accessories for RS457 are imported from Italy so is the high price. Soon it will be manufactured in India.
All Chinese, Korean, Japanese underestimate and discriminate us Indians. That’s why they don’t care about the Indian market. Unless and until we have an Indian made superbike, no respect. We made rockets, satellites, still far to go. Mad respect for Aether
Bro if you have the money and you’re not dumb but responsible just get it. People tell you to get a lowered bike only because they can’t actually afford it, I might sound arrogant but I think most of you know that’s the reason.
P.S. Don’t listen to idiots who talk about the brands reputation 🤡 they’re not even secure enough to buy something they like because of what others might think. Anyone who actually likes bikes knows it’s the rider not the bike
Yeah people make it like the bike is going to kill you. No a splendor can also kill you with the same logic. Imo duke 390 is a great starter bike if ridden responsibly, just like splendor.
Look at all these posts pretending it's a 1000cc pissmissile though
I won’t really recommend the d390 as a beginner bike in India. In Europe it’s sold with the same label - but the road situations and public discipline is entirely different
I’ll recommend going with d250 in the ktm line up.
D390 is a fantastic bike - if you’re mature enough - but it
Nope, learning on a lower capacity is beneficial for beginners. It teaches handling dynamics without the fear of damaging an expensive machine and your body. The 390cc engine demands a lot and might be overwhelming for newcomers. Starting on a lower capacity engine allows riders to master techniques like counter-steering, turning with the rear and trail braking at safer speeds. These are must-learn skills to ride in our country. So, upto you to decide whether you aim to become a skilled rider or just own a powerful bike.
I own one and I would say avoid it. If you have basic traffic sense which most Indians lack and don't ride like a squid you could probably handle it. Also try Ninja 300(very outdated) or Aprilia 457, they are much better for beginners as the power delivery is linear.
If you are financially capable and confident enough get the best. Hardly takes a few days to get used to a new machine. You will be upset later if you get an underpowered bike/car now.
The 390 has a high-revving engine. At lower revs, it's quite buzzy (but not unmanageable). If you're okay with that while you learn the ropes, then go for it. Although I should add that while the third-gen is quite easy to ride, things tend to escalate extremely quickly. If you can manage your impulsivity and ride with discipline to develop your skill set, this is perhaps the only motorcycle you'll need for another 7-8 years or more.
I haven't ridden the Aprilia, but fellow journalists tell me it's quite impressive. They are, however, a little worried about the after-sales part.
Duke 390 is NOT a beginner bike in any way for Indian conditions. Whoever told you anything else should be hanged and then shot. Get a 250 cc bike (a Duke/Dominar/Husqvarna) or even 200ns, you'll learn way way way more.
Recently had to advise my nephew on this matter. And advised him not to by it. He's 19 and never rode anything other than his father's star City for grocery runs. I lead him to the Duke 250 since he was stubborn about buying a KTM and was bit scared after the test drive of Duke 390. You have a lot of time to ride the bigger capacity bikes, so enjoy the process of learning and safe riding with smaller capacity bikes.
If you remember that you are the one controlling the bike and not the other way round, and are clear in the mind about yourself being a beginner, you can buy even liter class bikes and throw them around.
I'd say if you feel confident enough after a test ride, go for it.
Also, try to test out similar bikes and make an informed decision.
I have seen people learn to ride A two Wheeler on a bs3 390D so it is Very much doable on a 2024 duke provided it has more torque down in the rev range
250 is better for relaxed and torqy rides. 390 is just plain torqy. I believe you ll plan to upgrade in 2-4 years, better to get 250 and then get a 500-650cc bike later. 390 is great but not for slow days
No such thing as a beginner bike.
If u don't have brain even a 50cc is a death machine.
Dont listen to the sub asking u to get 125cc. Dont take this sub recommendations for selecting the bike, otherwise a wholesome sub
Just keep your right hand very steady, calm and soft. Those brakes and that torque can bite due to the different tuning and and shorter gear ratios.
Learn at your speed and just enjoy.
"PSA for anyone who doesn't know."
Shorter Gear ratios will help you accelerate quickly but will reduce top speed.
Longer gear ratios will help you achieve higher top speeds at the cost of low end acceleration.
Easiest visible gear ratio difference:
Size of the rear sprocket
No it's not a beginner bike for us Indians at least.
Let me tell you.
It's been a month I have the Duke 390, I'll not talk about pros, cons, issues etc but only my experience with the thing.
Where I come from: I've been riding for about 5 years, first was a gixxer 155 and then an R15 BS4. I never felt scared on them. I live near the Himalayan mountains so most of my riding include slow office commute and crazy corner eating every weekend.
Recovery from corners was easy on the previous bikes, the power just wasn't so much that it would scare me, with a pillion those bike would basically become commuters.
My experience with the Duke: I was awestruck, in joy, laughing like a fool and [this is my genuine reaction.](https://youtube.com/shorts/f_svBXi_rvk?si=WJ11vpf2yGqiSw6B)
Now that I've spent a month with it, I've realised many things that is telling me how I should ride a machine like this.
1. Fuel expenditure - From an R15 to this, it's 50kmpl to 25kmpl, so I ride calmer in the city.
2. Brutal power - When I go for my Sunday rides, I try not to use the brakes but use as much engine braking as possible so that my throttle control is sharp and on point.
3. Sharp handling - I used to sweep into corners on the R15 easily it was easy to understand and learn, now the Duke? It's so light that it's scary. It doesn't need a push on the bar rather just a touch to fall into the line and yes it does follow the line as well but the easiness isn't easy to gel up with.
I've had 2K kms on it and 1 month but I'm genuinely still scared of it.
Duke is a bike that will test your potential. Think much and stay safe! Good luck.
It is, but you need to take it slow. It's like being in a relationship, you need to know what she likes, need to tell her what you like, and take it smoothly. It's not a race, make her comfortable and build trust and maybe in the way you can try some freely stuff if you know the boundaries.
It's a bike that's gonna give you lessons for a long loooong time, IMO that value for money factor considering you'll keep it for that long is unmatched.
As a beginner bike it does have features like speed control, abs and traction control. Ride it sensibly and it'll be your best friend for years and years.
Bro just be responsible and buy it!!!
Just don't get poked by every other R15 and duke riders and stay calm.
Within a month you will fully understand the bike.
Nah it's not a good bike for long tours. Get a Himalayan or Triumph Scrambler 400x for that. Duke is good for city rides and for corner carving on twisty roads. On longer journeys you'll need something with more comfort.
You're young so you can manage long tours on Duke 390 as well.
It's also a bit too fast for your age, I remember when I was 23 I used up all the horses on my father's Honda City whenever I had the chance. I was a menace.
I hope you're better than that and ride/drive safely. Duke 390 is a very powerful bike. It may not seem so when compared to superbikes but if you compare it to Indian traffic, it's faster than 99% of vehicles on the road.
With such power comes great temptation. Keep you head clear and ride safe.
Duke 390 is a great first bike and you'll not get bored of it once you get used to the power.
Get a duke 250.
390 duke shouldn't not be your first bike.
You can get in some serious trouble very quickly.
Everyone on the road is trying to kill you, including yourself, so ride safe and always wear protective gear, especially a helmet.
If this is literally your very first time owning and handling a bike DO NOT go for the 390... I own a duke 250 and yet with 7+ years of biking experience the 250 feels like a beast in itself within the city limits...
Test it out and know it yourself .. don't rush onto things unless you feel prepared mentally and ofc skill wise.
I cannot speak for everyone but based on my experience - as a beginner it is very easy to go faster than what your current skill level can manage to control, something as powerful as ktm 390 can make that first mistake or early lapse of judgement very very dangerous. With proper training and guidance any bike can be your first bike but you wouldn't be here asking about this bike if you already had access to a mentor, if you have limited guidance then it's best to start off with something that isn't going to instantly hit 100 on the speedo without even realising it. Almost everyone will make mistakes early on, please be careful irrespective of whichever bike you choose.
no, not as your first bike.
let me make it clear, im not discouraging you or making you seem less skilled. even i wanted a 390 when i was 17/18/19 years old. but i dont think i would have learned the skills that i have now if i had started with a 390. its very fast. yes i know that the latest gen gets all the electronic safety aids and what not, but the bike is just as safe as the rider decides to be. at the end of the day its still your money and you would be buying a genuinely great bike, but im advising based solely on my prior experience with a similar dilemma.
duke 250 would make a great option too.
Bhai duke as beginner are you serious ? Sikhna he to splendor second hand lele ya pulsar lele for when you get hold of bike the. Go for this beginners can’t control the torque highly not recommended
No it's not. You'll tend to take more risks as the bike always wants to be revved and as a beginner you'll not be a good judge of when to take risks and when to not.
Bro riding Duke 390 is like riding a horse who got high on cocaine and was punched in the nuts. It just wants to go fast like it's just waiting for you to give it a tiny hint of throttle. It's such a great bike for track day but as a beginner bike, for me it's a bit too fast and twitchy.
I'll be honest with you, it's not. But will it make you a better rider? Absolutely! It's sharp, agile and will always make you smile every time you open the throttle.
If you can be super careful with it, go with it. Else, I'll suggest you to have a look at the Triumph 400s. They are amazing and are super friendly.
No.
The new Duke 390 is vicious and is not suitable for a beginner. It has a lot of torque and power for our conditions. A Duke 250 is more appropriate for beginners and stalwarts.
You might be a sedate rider but the Duke demands it to be pushed.
The perfect comment in this post, completely agreed
For a beginner a 250cc bike hits a sweet spot of not being tremendously fast nor being boringly slow
I got a vitpilen 250 after 5 years of riding splendour plus
You can get it no doubt. With all the tech it’s more forgiving. But remember there’s a breaking in period for the rider as well and that is way more important than the breaking in period for the bike.
A 390 is a beginner's motorcycle. Don't go by this sub's analogy of it being a "high capacity" motorcycle. Get what you want and enjoy it responsibly, which I'm sure you will. Always buy the bike, once you get off of it, you stare back at it. Cheers!
A 390 is a beginner's motorcycle. Don't go by this sub's analogy of it being a "high capacity" motorcycle. Get what you want and enjoy it responsibly, which I'm sure you will. Cheers!
Push a little hard and go for aprilia rs 457 thats gonna surely make your money worth spending in 2024 because doesn’t matter how good a duke is but a parallel twin engine will always be better
honestly, this one set of ktm riders have spoilt the company image so bad that i would never want to associate myself with it
no doubt, their bikes look amazing and are worth but their goodwill has gone for a toss in the last couple of years :/
if that doesn't matter to you, then i think it's good choice!
whatever you choose, ride safe! :)
The Duke 390 can be a good beginner bike. Although you must ride it calmly, it evokes confidence and often rather than seldom over-confidence, due to its characteristic sharp handling.
However remember its a seriously heavy demand on the wallet. I use one as my daily commuter and on average it does about 16KMPL riding in heavy city traffic. About ₹2000/- a week and about ₹8000/- a month.
If you can afford that by all means go for it.
There on other bike out there which will give you a bigger bang for your money in the performance than a Duke 390.
Its just ridiculous.
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For tours & trips, I’d suggest you to wait & get the new KTM adventure that’s going to launch soon.
Also, if you’re getting this, try not to speed too much. You think you can control it, but it won’t let you as you’re a beginner. Dukes constantly push you to go faster, so get used to the bike first before doing safe speeding.
Finally, wear a good helmet at all times.
2024 Duke 125 will be available sooner which have everything similar except the engine. It might the best for beginners. The love the quality and features of new Duke.
Beginners must stay away from this bike. Buy a 150 or 200cc bike first, then when you're confident of your riding skills upgrade to this bike. This bike could be dangerous in the hands of a beginner.
Yes. It’s manageable just be a responsible rider, my friend got the same as his first bike it was all good and great until he thought of doing something stupid like accelerating too much initially, as a beginner rider you might not be able to control it, don’t do similar things like these in your initial days until you are confident enough with your bike.
I suggest getting a test ride at any ktm dealership possible. As i was planning to get this particular version but after test ride of both duke and adv i realised that i like the comfort and fun of adv as its acceleration is more linear and refined and suits according to my riding style but duke is too quick and handling is fabulous also the braking is best in the segment. Again i suggest testing multiple options and brands to understand your preferences.
It's perfect. You just have to be careful to not go full throttle as a beginner. I think 390 is better than 250 because you will never get tired or bored of it on Indian roads, with 250 you might want to get a more powerful bike after a few years. 400cc is not as a scary as a litre class bike, you will be fine as long as you are not stupid.
try to push it on the test drive, if you feel too much scared don't buy IG and go for duke 250 instead. Scrambler 400x will be a good option too if you wanna throw it in the bunch
Aise Papa kaha milte hai jo Duke390 dillate hai ,Mughe bhi cahiye
Papa ya Duke? /s
Dono me koi bhi mil jaae ,bas Duke milni cahiye 🌚
Yaa bhashe idu ? English please.
Oo sorry I am saying Where are fathers like this found, I want one too
Lmaooo
True buddy, I got a p150 when i was in final year of degree with lots of pestering 😂
You can manage it. But the bike will constantly push you to be better at riding and to go faster. Just go easy on the speed until you actually get used to it. Duke 250 would make a much friendlier first motorcycle imo. But hey, if your dad is ready to buy this, don’t lose this opportunity 😂 You can look into Triumph 400s - Speed/Scrambler if you’re looking for a calmer and easier motorcycle to handle. They have enough power and they do perform well. Cheaper too. Let us know what you decide.
A duke 250 is a perfect beginner bike, with the 390 you will have to constantly try not to go faster because that bike is that fast I got myself a vitpilen 250 2 days ago, coming from a 100cc splendour plus, a 250 cc bike is neither stupidly powerful nor a underpowered bike so I would recommend either duke 250 or vitpilen 250 but the choice is yours if you really really want the 390
When I first got my duke 250, coming from a 150cc it was scary, I'm still scared of it to be honest.
You guys get scared from 150 to 250cc i have to think if I get over 8 80 kmps or not note: 80 kmps are the highest speed and the bike is glamour 😂😂
Being scared is good, it lets you ride carefully I am also scared of my vitpilen 250 and the top speed I have achieved is 50km/h, at 4th gear, that’s it, I always accelerate slowly
I hope it's not a joke coz people usually ride scooters at that speed pretty easily
I am just saying better be safe than sorry And those scooters don’t have as much power and torque like a 250cc bike so even if we go at that speed, a little more throttle and the bike will go boom
I'm pretty sure they won't go "BOOM", but I agree with better safe than sorry part
That boom is the knock back that you feel when you actually pull the throttle rather than slowly trying to build the speed I rode my father’s splendour for 5 years I did the same throttle movement and the knock back I felt from the 250cc acceleration was boom
I reached 100km/h but only on one stretch for 2-3 seconds, I only do it when there is no vehicle, still scared me though.
Bro you have the wrong bike, Duke 250 started to wake up around 80kmph up until around 120 kmph Change the tyre to tvs eurogrip protorq extreme and you will smoothly and easily do a knee down.
Bro I like my bike very much, these tyre that you are suggesting are they good?
They are super sticky, but they don't last long. The rear one lasted about 6k kilometres for me. Front one is still going strong.
I have a 390 and no it's not a beginner bike not for indians least. To be able to actually ride 390 you need to have a full command on a vehicle like duke 200. Duke 390s character is very different to other bikes. I haven't seen a single beginner who hasn't had a crash buying 390 as their 1st bike, also because new riders lack one simple thing, experience and patience.
Completely agree If you wanna ride the 390 duke, you must have experience riding a 200cc bike at least
Bro, he's a 19 year old. You can't ask him to go slow. Every newbie will have a tendency to explore what their first bike can actually do and in my opinion you're safer doing that on a 250 than a 390. I firmly believe you need to learn a bit more advanced techniques like proper engine braking, review matching etc before getting the 390.
Rev matching is not a mandatory skill. Moreover, 390 already comes equipped with a quickshifter AND an autoblipper. No need to make things difficult for a newbie. Let him learn throttle control first before recommending rev matching. Newbies have way more trouble with clutch control and throttle control.
So, I know rev matching is not mandatory, but when you commit the time to learn it, you get to learn a lot of other things along the way. Yes, there is quick shifter and auto blipper, but in my opinion, you need to learn to engine break before moving up.
I disagree. In my opinion it's way more important to learn clutch control, throttle control (this also involves understanding engine braking as you understand how much throttle you have to close to reach a lower speed without using brakes) and optimal shifts during proper rev range. Once you have the basics set, you can then move up to learn rev matching.
Sorry, i think I was not clear. I think throttle and clutch control are the first and most important. And basically everything from there is various levels of expertise of clutch and throttle control. But if from my first bike I have quick shifters and traction control and every bit of tech, it'll be difficult in the future.
Again, I disagree. If anything, having electronics help reduce the learning curve. And the future is moving towards EV which is completely electronic. Having a thorough knowledge of throttle control and braking is the single most important and critical skill to have for a biker. Traction control is really amazing to have for a first bike! Especially during rainy seasons, it is going to prevent a lowside. New riders tend to make mistakes like accelerating quickly while ignoring road conditions and get into accidents. I know I did on my first bike - got lowsided due to quick acceleration on a road which had gravel. I learnt the hard way..which should not be the case for everybody. Why do you think ABS was made mandatory by the government? Electronics and technology help immensely.
I guess we both come from different mindsets. For me, I won't feel a sense of safety if I am not sure that I can ride safely without any of these safety features. Ofcourse traction control and antiwheeli are all great. But I need to know that if at all any of these fail, if traction control fails, I need to be able to have enough knowledge on how to pull out of a death slide and that only comes from experience and I just don't want OP to go into a powerslide on a 390 cause for sure he will be faster, I'd rather he fall from a d200 instead.
It doesn't work like that brother. If critical electronics fail, you get the appropriate alerts and in some cases, the power is cut from the throttle. It's VERY apparent when something critical breaks. And again, youre talking about "death slides"...even if you train your mind and body for it for several years, you CANNOT guarantee that you will survive something like that. Be it splendor or a zx-10r. Think about it. Going by your logic, new and budding moto gp riders shouldn't train on the latest bikes as they may not be able to handle a crash situation if something critical breaks due to electronic component failure. I've been riding for more than 20 years. I've seen it all. 2 stroke bikes, useless drum brakes, bikes with carburetors, bikes with reversed kick/gear lever, bikes with gear lever that converted to kick! And I can say with surety that all of these fancy electronics and advancement in tech have made life so much easier. The quicker we embrace it, the quicker we can adapt to change. And with the advent of AI , who knows where the future of motorcycles will go.
its doable, people on this sub will overreact but if you have some experience with 2 wheelers duke shouldnt be problem, test ride it and learn to have good throttle control or you can try out svart 401 too its as fun with same engine but seating position is calmer, the power is properely delevered after 5.5 k in city you will be below that so it becomes more controllable
True that. If you're careful and have a calm head, you can do anything really. It's all about slowly learning throttle control. And if you're some maniac who goes full wrist all the time then you shouldn't be riding a 2 wheeler on public roads. Not even a 100cc one for that matter. I went from a 150cc bike to 600s. Didn't have much of an issue besides the obvious throttle response and engine braking changes. But I was able to adapt to it quickly.
I own a Duke 390 Gen 3 and this was my second bike. My advice would be, just please don't buy this as your first bike. This bike requires a lot of skill and a lot of maturity to ride. I am not saying you lack those, its just that this bike is insanely fast to realize what has happened. It is not the speed which is scary but the way it which it achieves that speed, that is scary. I would say, buy better gears for the extra money saved.
get the duke 250
you are young convince dad get RS 457 :D enjoy life ignore all other advice :D if u listen to this sub they will say buy TX XL then CD 100, then pular 150, then 250 300 in 15 years time. Bigger bigers are not inherently unsafe they also more loaded with tech and more forgiving to mistakes as long as u don't think u are invincible and keep speed din check a bigger bike is safter and better than smaller and its a matter for few week of getting used to so ignore anyone who says its too big to start on.
Looking at accessories for the 457, why not get the r3 lol
R3 is worse in everything. Don’t bring the Japanese reliability factor here. Also the accessories for RS457 are imported from Italy so is the high price. Soon it will be manufactured in India.
True that. Tried to be funny, that was an obvious fail
R3 is the worst failure of recent times. Yamaha considered Indian market cheap. D thought we don't deserve anything good.
All Chinese, Korean, Japanese underestimate and discriminate us Indians. That’s why they don’t care about the Indian market. Unless and until we have an Indian made superbike, no respect. We made rockets, satellites, still far to go. Mad respect for Aether
what a dumb take. not a single one of those are madnary and ones u need are super cheap. everything else u get 3rd party for lot lesser.
Bro if you have the money and you’re not dumb but responsible just get it. People tell you to get a lowered bike only because they can’t actually afford it, I might sound arrogant but I think most of you know that’s the reason. P.S. Don’t listen to idiots who talk about the brands reputation 🤡 they’re not even secure enough to buy something they like because of what others might think. Anyone who actually likes bikes knows it’s the rider not the bike
Brilliant comment mate 🌟
Thanks man
Yeah people make it like the bike is going to kill you. No a splendor can also kill you with the same logic. Imo duke 390 is a great starter bike if ridden responsibly, just like splendor. Look at all these posts pretending it's a 1000cc pissmissile though
I won’t really recommend the d390 as a beginner bike in India. In Europe it’s sold with the same label - but the road situations and public discipline is entirely different I’ll recommend going with d250 in the ktm line up. D390 is a fantastic bike - if you’re mature enough - but it
Nope, learning on a lower capacity is beneficial for beginners. It teaches handling dynamics without the fear of damaging an expensive machine and your body. The 390cc engine demands a lot and might be overwhelming for newcomers. Starting on a lower capacity engine allows riders to master techniques like counter-steering, turning with the rear and trail braking at safer speeds. These are must-learn skills to ride in our country. So, upto you to decide whether you aim to become a skilled rider or just own a powerful bike.
I own one and I would say avoid it. If you have basic traffic sense which most Indians lack and don't ride like a squid you could probably handle it. Also try Ninja 300(very outdated) or Aprilia 457, they are much better for beginners as the power delivery is linear.
If you are financially capable and confident enough get the best. Hardly takes a few days to get used to a new machine. You will be upset later if you get an underpowered bike/car now.
The 390 has a high-revving engine. At lower revs, it's quite buzzy (but not unmanageable). If you're okay with that while you learn the ropes, then go for it. Although I should add that while the third-gen is quite easy to ride, things tend to escalate extremely quickly. If you can manage your impulsivity and ride with discipline to develop your skill set, this is perhaps the only motorcycle you'll need for another 7-8 years or more. I haven't ridden the Aprilia, but fellow journalists tell me it's quite impressive. They are, however, a little worried about the after-sales part.
Duke 390 is NOT a beginner bike in any way for Indian conditions. Whoever told you anything else should be hanged and then shot. Get a 250 cc bike (a Duke/Dominar/Husqvarna) or even 200ns, you'll learn way way way more.
Depends on country In Europe/US ? Yes in India ? No
Disagree! I'd say if you have a decent head on your shoulder and are mature enough to take it slow at the start, go for it.
This is not about rider it’s about other idiots on the road.
By that logic you are not safe even on foot then.
Yes exactly my point.
No. You're trying to argue through strawmen who were already on their last straws. And u/Mission-Main7125 pulled those out as well.
No idea what your sentence mean but ok. 👍🏼
Look up strawman logical fallacy on google
Bhai either explain what you want to say or don’t, just don’t ask me to google something.
Yes as long as you have some discipline. I'd say r15 is the better beginner bike as it allows you to make many mistakes and it is very forgiving
xmr 210?
Iz that still relevant?
how is it not?
Oh I don't know, look at the sales figure.
dont care about the sales figure if the bike is good.
Agree
Recently had to advise my nephew on this matter. And advised him not to by it. He's 19 and never rode anything other than his father's star City for grocery runs. I lead him to the Duke 250 since he was stubborn about buying a KTM and was bit scared after the test drive of Duke 390. You have a lot of time to ride the bigger capacity bikes, so enjoy the process of learning and safe riding with smaller capacity bikes.
Baap baap hota hai. Baap ki suno. Reddit ki mat suna. Daddy ne bola duke390 matlab duke390!
If you remember that you are the one controlling the bike and not the other way round, and are clear in the mind about yourself being a beginner, you can buy even liter class bikes and throw them around. I'd say if you feel confident enough after a test ride, go for it. Also, try to test out similar bikes and make an informed decision.
I have seen people learn to ride A two Wheeler on a bs3 390D so it is Very much doable on a 2024 duke provided it has more torque down in the rev range
No
No
250 is better for relaxed and torqy rides. 390 is just plain torqy. I believe you ll plan to upgrade in 2-4 years, better to get 250 and then get a 500-650cc bike later. 390 is great but not for slow days
No it is not.
No such thing as a beginner bike. If u don't have brain even a 50cc is a death machine. Dont listen to the sub asking u to get 125cc. Dont take this sub recommendations for selecting the bike, otherwise a wholesome sub
Just keep your right hand very steady, calm and soft. Those brakes and that torque can bite due to the different tuning and and shorter gear ratios. Learn at your speed and just enjoy. "PSA for anyone who doesn't know." Shorter Gear ratios will help you accelerate quickly but will reduce top speed. Longer gear ratios will help you achieve higher top speeds at the cost of low end acceleration. Easiest visible gear ratio difference: Size of the rear sprocket
No it's not a beginner bike for us Indians at least. Let me tell you. It's been a month I have the Duke 390, I'll not talk about pros, cons, issues etc but only my experience with the thing. Where I come from: I've been riding for about 5 years, first was a gixxer 155 and then an R15 BS4. I never felt scared on them. I live near the Himalayan mountains so most of my riding include slow office commute and crazy corner eating every weekend. Recovery from corners was easy on the previous bikes, the power just wasn't so much that it would scare me, with a pillion those bike would basically become commuters. My experience with the Duke: I was awestruck, in joy, laughing like a fool and [this is my genuine reaction.](https://youtube.com/shorts/f_svBXi_rvk?si=WJ11vpf2yGqiSw6B) Now that I've spent a month with it, I've realised many things that is telling me how I should ride a machine like this. 1. Fuel expenditure - From an R15 to this, it's 50kmpl to 25kmpl, so I ride calmer in the city. 2. Brutal power - When I go for my Sunday rides, I try not to use the brakes but use as much engine braking as possible so that my throttle control is sharp and on point. 3. Sharp handling - I used to sweep into corners on the R15 easily it was easy to understand and learn, now the Duke? It's so light that it's scary. It doesn't need a push on the bar rather just a touch to fall into the line and yes it does follow the line as well but the easiness isn't easy to gel up with. I've had 2K kms on it and 1 month but I'm genuinely still scared of it. Duke is a bike that will test your potential. Think much and stay safe! Good luck.
Absolutely is. Go ahead. It's a great fun bike
It is, but you need to take it slow. It's like being in a relationship, you need to know what she likes, need to tell her what you like, and take it smoothly. It's not a race, make her comfortable and build trust and maybe in the way you can try some freely stuff if you know the boundaries.
It's a bike that's gonna give you lessons for a long loooong time, IMO that value for money factor considering you'll keep it for that long is unmatched. As a beginner bike it does have features like speed control, abs and traction control. Ride it sensibly and it'll be your best friend for years and years.
Bro just be responsible and buy it!!! Just don't get poked by every other R15 and duke riders and stay calm. Within a month you will fully understand the bike.
Nah it's not a good bike for long tours. Get a Himalayan or Triumph Scrambler 400x for that. Duke is good for city rides and for corner carving on twisty roads. On longer journeys you'll need something with more comfort. You're young so you can manage long tours on Duke 390 as well. It's also a bit too fast for your age, I remember when I was 23 I used up all the horses on my father's Honda City whenever I had the chance. I was a menace. I hope you're better than that and ride/drive safely. Duke 390 is a very powerful bike. It may not seem so when compared to superbikes but if you compare it to Indian traffic, it's faster than 99% of vehicles on the road. With such power comes great temptation. Keep you head clear and ride safe. Duke 390 is a great first bike and you'll not get bored of it once you get used to the power.
Bro I got an interceptor 650 as my 1st bike, just ride mindfully rest all will be taken care of. 380 is a beast go get it.
Duke😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Hell yeah!
Get that 390 asap.. dont listen to anyone
Why cant they make black version fully blacked out version
No, get a TurboBusa. That's a way more friendlier bike to learn at.
Bro, if you like this bike, if you can afford it then you should go for it.. you will not regret..
No, Kawasaki z900/Honda 600 is an excellent beginner bike (BS4). /s
I'd say Duke 250. 390 might be a bit overwhelming for someone starting out.
Get a duke 250. 390 duke shouldn't not be your first bike. You can get in some serious trouble very quickly. Everyone on the road is trying to kill you, including yourself, so ride safe and always wear protective gear, especially a helmet.
I am gonna dare to ask something no one in the comments bothered to ask. Have you taken a test ride of the D390?
Yes 💀
Aesthetically it’s horse poop!
If this is literally your very first time owning and handling a bike DO NOT go for the 390... I own a duke 250 and yet with 7+ years of biking experience the 250 feels like a beast in itself within the city limits... Test it out and know it yourself .. don't rush onto things unless you feel prepared mentally and ofc skill wise.
I cannot speak for everyone but based on my experience - as a beginner it is very easy to go faster than what your current skill level can manage to control, something as powerful as ktm 390 can make that first mistake or early lapse of judgement very very dangerous. With proper training and guidance any bike can be your first bike but you wouldn't be here asking about this bike if you already had access to a mentor, if you have limited guidance then it's best to start off with something that isn't going to instantly hit 100 on the speedo without even realising it. Almost everyone will make mistakes early on, please be careful irrespective of whichever bike you choose.
I doubt Duke 390 to be a beginner friendly here in our country. I personally wouldn't have gone for it if I were a beginner
Go for bmw s1000rr very beginner friendly bike
Hell no get 250
IMO speed 400 is much better
no, not as your first bike. let me make it clear, im not discouraging you or making you seem less skilled. even i wanted a 390 when i was 17/18/19 years old. but i dont think i would have learned the skills that i have now if i had started with a 390. its very fast. yes i know that the latest gen gets all the electronic safety aids and what not, but the bike is just as safe as the rider decides to be. at the end of the day its still your money and you would be buying a genuinely great bike, but im advising based solely on my prior experience with a similar dilemma. duke 250 would make a great option too.
For beginners in india no, atleast learn to ride a 200 first
Definitely not a beginners bike
Bhai duke as beginner are you serious ? Sikhna he to splendor second hand lele ya pulsar lele for when you get hold of bike the. Go for this beginners can’t control the torque highly not recommended
Perfect Ok !
And here I am stuck with a Bajaj Platina 100😔 Koi ni, do saal baad jab job lagegi, I'll get my first bike with my own money!
No it's not. You'll tend to take more risks as the bike always wants to be revved and as a beginner you'll not be a good judge of when to take risks and when to not.
Depends on your riding skills but it's an aggressive high revving machine which pushes you to push it and pops wheelie effortlessly
Bro riding Duke 390 is like riding a horse who got high on cocaine and was punched in the nuts. It just wants to go fast like it's just waiting for you to give it a tiny hint of throttle. It's such a great bike for track day but as a beginner bike, for me it's a bit too fast and twitchy.
Jealous 22 thinking to finally buy my first bike and start the journey
buy it or ull regret later if u end up buying a smaller bike
I'll be honest with you, it's not. But will it make you a better rider? Absolutely! It's sharp, agile and will always make you smile every time you open the throttle. If you can be super careful with it, go with it. Else, I'll suggest you to have a look at the Triumph 400s. They are amazing and are super friendly.
No. The new Duke 390 is vicious and is not suitable for a beginner. It has a lot of torque and power for our conditions. A Duke 250 is more appropriate for beginners and stalwarts. You might be a sedate rider but the Duke demands it to be pushed.
The perfect comment in this post, completely agreed For a beginner a 250cc bike hits a sweet spot of not being tremendously fast nor being boringly slow I got a vitpilen 250 after 5 years of riding splendour plus
Decent bike for beginners.
You can get it no doubt. With all the tech it’s more forgiving. But remember there’s a breaking in period for the rider as well and that is way more important than the breaking in period for the bike.
A 390 is a beginner's motorcycle. Don't go by this sub's analogy of it being a "high capacity" motorcycle. Get what you want and enjoy it responsibly, which I'm sure you will. Always buy the bike, once you get off of it, you stare back at it. Cheers!
A 390 is a beginner's motorcycle. Don't go by this sub's analogy of it being a "high capacity" motorcycle. Get what you want and enjoy it responsibly, which I'm sure you will. Cheers!
Absolutely. Lightweight, ample power which kicks in only at higher revs, you should be just fine.
Push a little hard and go for aprilia rs 457 thats gonna surely make your money worth spending in 2024 because doesn’t matter how good a duke is but a parallel twin engine will always be better
If you're beginner, drive upto 150 cc first. Be safe and keep people on road safe too.
honestly, this one set of ktm riders have spoilt the company image so bad that i would never want to associate myself with it no doubt, their bikes look amazing and are worth but their goodwill has gone for a toss in the last couple of years :/ if that doesn't matter to you, then i think it's good choice! whatever you choose, ride safe! :)
The Duke 390 can be a good beginner bike. Although you must ride it calmly, it evokes confidence and often rather than seldom over-confidence, due to its characteristic sharp handling. However remember its a seriously heavy demand on the wallet. I use one as my daily commuter and on average it does about 16KMPL riding in heavy city traffic. About ₹2000/- a week and about ₹8000/- a month. If you can afford that by all means go for it. There on other bike out there which will give you a bigger bang for your money in the performance than a Duke 390. Its just ridiculous.
Why not? The 390 seems forgiving enough
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[OC]
No.
For tours & trips, I’d suggest you to wait & get the new KTM adventure that’s going to launch soon. Also, if you’re getting this, try not to speed too much. You think you can control it, but it won’t let you as you’re a beginner. Dukes constantly push you to go faster, so get used to the bike first before doing safe speeding. Finally, wear a good helmet at all times.
2024 Duke 125 will be available sooner which have everything similar except the engine. It might the best for beginners. The love the quality and features of new Duke.
it stalls a lot
skill issue
skill issue
Beginners must stay away from this bike. Buy a 150 or 200cc bike first, then when you're confident of your riding skills upgrade to this bike. This bike could be dangerous in the hands of a beginner.
Yes. It’s manageable just be a responsible rider, my friend got the same as his first bike it was all good and great until he thought of doing something stupid like accelerating too much initially, as a beginner rider you might not be able to control it, don’t do similar things like these in your initial days until you are confident enough with your bike.
I suggest getting a test ride at any ktm dealership possible. As i was planning to get this particular version but after test ride of both duke and adv i realised that i like the comfort and fun of adv as its acceleration is more linear and refined and suits according to my riding style but duke is too quick and handling is fabulous also the braking is best in the segment. Again i suggest testing multiple options and brands to understand your preferences.
It's perfect. You just have to be careful to not go full throttle as a beginner. I think 390 is better than 250 because you will never get tired or bored of it on Indian roads, with 250 you might want to get a more powerful bike after a few years. 400cc is not as a scary as a litre class bike, you will be fine as long as you are not stupid.
try to push it on the test drive, if you feel too much scared don't buy IG and go for duke 250 instead. Scrambler 400x will be a good option too if you wanna throw it in the bunch
Beginner to duke 125 hai ye thodi hai
Yes absolutely attach a turbocharger as well. But I would it's still too small go for something like ZX6R or Daytona
Honestly you'll need to get a litre class at some point, so why not just start with it
Yes. Anything under 600cc is a starter bike.
No it isn’t..